Browse Items (91 total)

A primary characteristic of Grebo masks are portruding eyes. The elongated nose is also a stylistic feature. It is not uncommon for a Grebo mask to possess multiple sets of tubular eyes.

This is an example of a male head mask having a headdress made of feathers and fibers. The common features are distinct curving lines surrounding the brow and cheekbone. On the forehead is a carved scarification mark referred to as cingelyengelye.…

Carved wood drum has a light brownm patina with white kaolin, with an animal skin drum head secured by carved wood pegs. On the cylinder of the drum are alternating masks with bird and ancestral faces. The pedestal base also has serpents and…

The Kuba Kingdom was founded in the 16th century. Geometric design, cowrie shells, and vegetable fiber are characteristics of this example of a mask worn by the men of royal descent for coronation rituals or during a chief's installation. There is…

This round, hat-like helmet features a female figure and an up-right bird connected by a ridge. They are joined at the top of the helmet with animal ears below. The helmet is made of carved wood with a deep rich brown patina. There is evidence of…

This two-head figure joined at the cheeks is carved from wood with a dark brown patina overlaid with light orange-colored earth pigment. A carrying handle sits on top of the heads, covered with fabric and blue indigo dye. The base is woven like a…

A bulging woman sits atop the handle of this spoon. The spoon is made of carved wood with a red brown patina. A spoon such as with would be used to serve a ceremonial or community meal.

At the bottom of this large carved wood mask is a round face with a handle for holding it in front of the wearer. The mask is made of wood, with brown and black vegetable pigment, brown indigo, and white kaolin.

This warthog’s head mask has cutouts for the dancer’s eyes just below the painted eyes. The mask is made of carved wood with a black vegetable pigment patina with white kaolin, blue indigo and red earth pigment. Some indigenous fabric remnants are…